Stethoscope



May 18 1926. 1,585,407

L. H. MORIN STETHOSCOPE Filed Dec. 15,. .1924

Patented May l, lgyti.

rasate? Unirse srarss earner erstes.

LOUIS H. MORIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSGNOR 'IO CHESTER PRODUCTS COB/PURA: TION, OF NEVI YORK, N'. Y.,r A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

STETHOSCOPE.

Application filed December 15, 1924. Serial No. 755,939. l

This invention relates to an improvement in stethoscopes, and more particularly to an improvement in the means for connect-V ing the head-piece to the sound tube of the stethoscope.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide means for connectingthe head-piece and the sound tube of the stethoscope together, which will prevent leakage or escape of the sounds and therefore improve the sound transmission of the stethoscope.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for connecting` and holding the air-tubes of a stethoscope head-piece to-A gether, whereby they may be sprung toward each other or drawn apart, to accommodate the head-piece to faces of different widths without inconvenience .to the use. and without permitting unnecessary escape of the sound waves around they ears.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for reinforcing the ear tube connecting means.

Various other objects and advantages will appear as the description ofthe invention proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred'embodiment of the invention,-

Fig. l is an elevation of the head-piece of a stethoscope showing the sound tube broken away:

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the headpiece, shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ear and sound tube connecting means;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the reinforcingand connecting spring used in my invention; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the spring member is formed.

In the form of the embodiment of the in- Y vention illustrated herein, l indicates orally a stethoscope head-piece comprising a pair of ear tubes 2, terminating in buttons 3 which fit into the ears of the user. The ear tubes 2 are connected to the sound tube 4, whichy is preferably a piece of rubber tubing extending to the telephone or other terminus of the stethoscope, by means of a T-shaped connecting member 5, which is preferably constructed of soft rubber.

In the stethoscopes as heretofore conl structed, the T-shaped portion 5 has often been pivoted on the sound tube 4, and the top of the T-shape'd portion, being of soft rubber, has not held the ear-pieces 2 firmly in contact with the head of the wearer and has not been adjustable to heads of various widths. ln my 'improved construction yof the stethoscope head-piece, l have therefore provided in the T-shaped portion 5, a spring metal reinforcing and connecting memberG, which is provided at each end with a tubular collar 7, which receives and surrounds the ends of the ear tubes 2, the leaf yportion 8 of the spring;` extending between the tubular portions 7 at the top of the 'i' and permitting the soft rubber T-shape'd member 5 to be bent by distorting leaf portion 8 so as to bring the buttons 3 closer to-V getheror farther apart, as the width of the wearers head may demand. Because of the resiliency and curved contour of section 8 of the spring, there is a tendency to press the buttons 3 resiliently together so as to cause aslight gripping of the head between the buttons, but without sufficient pressure to cause any discomfort or annoyance to the user. The spring member 6 is preferably shaped from a blank 9, stamped from suitable sheet material, and the end portions 9? are bent around a suitable mandrel to form collars 7. To .prevent any escape of the sound` in the connection between the sound tube 4 and the connecting member 5, the sound tube 4, which is preferably of a piece of soft rubber tubing, is cemented at 10 to the vertical portion of the T-shaped member In order to prevent collapsing of the inner tube 4 and to secure firm contact of the same with the member 5 when the cement is applied to attach these members together, a short metal ferrule or collar l2 may be inserted in the T-shaped member 5 and the end of the sound tube 4 inserted between the collar and the T-shaped member. When the cement is applied, the collar l2 holds the tube 4 in rm contact with the bottom leg of the T-shaped member 5, bringing a firm contact between the inner surface of the T and the sound tube 4 to cause a sound and permanent cementng` of these members together to prevent any loss of sound waves at this point.

ln assembling the stethoscope head-piece, the spring member 6 is inserted in the mold and the soft rubber connecting member 5.

formed around the member 6. The ends of the ear tubes 2 are tlien inserted in the ends of the T 5 and pushed into the collars 7. A suitable cement lOCL is applied between the rubber of the T-member 5 and the ear tubes 2 to hold the tubes in place, and, the sound tube 4i is then connected to the vertical leg ot the T in the manner described above.

The invention provides an -conomical method 01' constructing a head-piece, it provides a head-piece Which can be easily adjusted to the head of the wearer and which has su'ticient resiliency in the spring G to hold theV buttons in place in the ears. rlfhe cementing ot the sound tube il to the headpiece and of the ear tubes 2 to the lxlshaped portion 5, prevents escape ci the sound Waves at this point and improves the sound transmission ot' the stethoscope.

ln compliance 'with the patent statutes, l have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment ot my invention. However, it is to be understood that various moditications and cli-anges may be made in the apparatus disclosed Without departingl from the spirit of the invention and the scope oit' the appended claims.

Having described my invention7 what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a stethoscope head-piece, a pair ot ear tubes, a Vflexible tubular T-shaped ineinber connecting` the ear tubes with the sound tube, and means in said T-shaped member for holding the ear tubes in permanently adjusted position.

2. In a stethoscope head-piece, a pair ot ear tubes, a sound tube, and an integral tubular flexible T-sliaped member connecting the saine, stiliening means in said LV- shaped member to hold the ear tubes in pesition, and means for forming a sound proot' connection between the shaped member and the sound and ear tubes.

3. ln a stethoscope head-piece, a tubular soft rubber ulshaped member connecting the sound tube with the ear tubes, and a metal springl embedded in the upper portion of said isliaped member and embracingzg` 'the ear tubes tor holding the same in position.

et. ln a stethoscope head-piece, a pair of ear tubes, a sound tube, a tubular sott rubber connecting member between the sound tube and the ear tubes, a spring concealed in said connecting` member and engaging the ear tubes, and means making a sound-prooi connection between said connecting member and the sound and car tubes.

ln a stethoscope head-piece, a lexible tubular lshaped member tor connecting the sound and ear tubes, a stilleniu'cgl member in said "ishaped member, comprisingl a tubular section at each side oi the vertical leg olf the T adapted to embi the end ot the ear tubes, and a leai sprin;l connected to said tubular sections and extending between the same.

(5. ln a stethoscope head-piece, a ilegible tubular T-shaped member for connecting the sound and ear tubes, a stiitiening member in said li'.sliaped memberl, /comprising a tubular section at each side ot the vertical legof the T adapted to embrace the end of the ear tubes, a leaf spring connected to said tubular sections and extending,` between the same, and a rigid tubular member in the vertical leg of the l and receivini@Y the end ot the sound tube between said latter tubular member and the walls ot said vertical leg.

In testimony whereof l have ali'ixed my signature to 'this specification.

LOUIS H. MORlN. 

